S ome of the major events of autumn kick off this week: Open Studios, the Columbus Day festival and the young, vibrant FITWEEK. Knock yourself out!

Monday, October 1
You’ve heard of FITWEEK. It’s the weeklong citywide health awareness event which was previewed at last month’s Breathe On9 festivities. Over 50 “fitness facilities” are participating this week, offering free classes, activities and demonstrations. Today, there’s a noontime Fitness Walk touring the Shops at Yale downtown, hosted by TV journalist Sonia Baghdady. Fitweek.net has all the details.

Tuesday, October 2
The exhibit Posters from an Island: 4 Artists of Cuba has adorned the gallery area of the New Haven Free Public Library (Ives main branch, 133 Elm St., New Haven) since September 10, and doesn’t come down until October 9. But the public reception for the artists—Sara Vega, Nelson Ponce, Raul Valdes Raupa and Yolyanko William Arguelles Trujillo—is this afternoon, from 3 to 5 p.m. For details, contact curator Johnes Ruta at (203) 387-4933.

Another artists’ reception, for the works of Sara Beth Goncarova (one of which, a textile sculpture named “July,” is pictured close-up above) and Thomas Edwards on view at Gallery 195, happens 5 to 7 p.m. on the 4th floor of 195 Church. (It’s the building which houses the gallery’s sponsor, First Niagara Bank.)

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Wednesday, October 3Satchmo at the Waldorf’s monthlong run opens today at 7 p.m. at Long Wharf Theatre (222 Sargent Drive, New Haven). Terry Teachout, the playwright, is out to prove that critics—he’s the theater reviewer for The Wall Street Journal—can walk the walk, too.

Thursday, October 4
New Music New Haven is the most audacious and mind-expanding music series perpetrated by the ever-enlightening Yale School of Music. This semester’s NMNH kick-off concert features the world premiere of Allegory of the Cave by Christopher Theofanidis and several new works by graduate students. 8 p.m. Morse Recital Hall, Sprague Memorial Hall (470 College St., New Haven; 203-432-4158).

Just a few blocks away, Trailblazer, the outdoor apparel place, throws a block party from 7 to 10 p.m. to benefit CitySeed. Among the offerings: free beer from New England Brewing Company and Cavalry Brewing, a concert by the Greg Sherrod Band, a mechanical bull, a photo booth and a raffle. The block will be closed off for the festivities, but the Caseus Cheese Truck and the Sugar Cupcake Truck will make it through. 296 Elm Street, New Haven. (203) 865-6244.

Friday, October 5
It’s the first Friday of the month, which means another On9 “creative crawl” through the shops, galleries and eateries of New Haven’s Ninth Square. This month’s event is Create On9, with, among other attractions, free drawing and painting classes from Adae Fine Arts outdoors on Orange Street between Center and Crown. That block is being closed to traffic, so there’ll be a dance party as well courtesy of Club Culture 360. Elsewhere in Ninth Square are yoga demonstrations, gallery openings and, at Elm City Market, a “Paint Away Hunger” event to benefit the mobile food pantry FISH of Greater New Haven.

“Create” lasts from 6 p.m. until 8, but Ninth Square doesn’t go dark after that. The area will be clearly and creatively lit by Light Artists Making Places, or LAMP. The second annual installation of illuminating artworks is a bright collaboration between area businesses and local artists.

Saturday, October 6
The grand opening of City-Wide Open Studios is Friday, October 5, from 5-8 p.m. at Artspace (50 Orange St., New Haven). Today’s the day when the studios actually open—the start of three weekends when you can visit dozens of galleries and spaces and meet hundreds of area artists. Today and tomorrow, from noon to 5 p.m., comprises “Passport Weekend,” when artists, businesses and non-profits who have their own studio or gallery areas open them to the public. You can find a map and guide at the CWOS website.

Sunday, October 7The Columbus Day Festival & Parade overwhelms Wooster Square today. The once-every-five-years festival is held from noon to 5 p.m. in Wooster Square Park, with myriad performances, a Hay Maze, a petting zoo, pony rides and food from “around the world.” Whether you’re a walker or a cheerleader, the parade starts on the Green at noon before making its way over to the festival grounds.

Written by Christopher Arnott with Wednesday, October 3rd listing contributed by staff.

About Christopher Arnott

Christopher Arnott has written about arts and culture in Connecticut for over 25 years. His journalism has won local, regional and national awards, and he has been honored with an Arts Award from the Arts Council of Greater New Haven. He posts daily at his own sites www.scribblers.us and New Haven Theater Jerk (www.scribblers.us/nhtj).